SEW-A-LONG

2021 Sampler Class - Paper Piecing...all year round

2021 dates... assignments will be due by theses dates March 16th April 20th May 18th June 15th Aug 17th Sept 21st Oct 19th Nov 16th

April 20th assignment... due May 18th

you may choose to do one or both of the Flower Pot blocks for April.

(Confession...I did the "chick" block because it only had three sections!)

Make 2 copies of the pattern page... cut sections apart as indicated by
the red lines, remembering to include the 1/4" seam allowance beyond
the solid lines...including the outer edges.

Follow general instructions from first month's information to construct
the blocks.

the three sections

once the sections are constructed...stitch the sections together
REMEMBER...the solid black lines are the STITCHING lines and
the fabrics need to extend past the outer lines at least 1/4"
so that you are able to trim the block to 8"...finished size 7.5"

Check out what others are doing with blocks...
VISIT the Show & Tell FACEBOOK group!

March 16th assignment... due April 20th

you may choose to do one or both of the Gnome blocks for March.

I am thinking that I may want to put all blocks together into one project
so I chose to use the same dot print for background as I did in the
Valentine block.

Make 3 copies of the pattern page... cut sections apart as indicated by
the red lines, remembering to include the 1/4" seam allowance beyond
the solid lines...including the outer edges.

Follow general instructions from first month's information to construct
the blocks.

once the sections are constructed...stitch the sections together
REMEMBER...the solid black lines are the STITCHING lines and the fabrics
need to extend past the outer lines at least 1/4" so that you are
able to trim the block to 8"...finished size 7.5"

Check out what others are doing with blocks...
VISIT the Show & Tell FACEBOOK group!

February 16 assignment...due March 16

you may choose to do one or both blocks from the January and February Block
patterns.   the requirement is to do one from each month...just depends on what
you want to do with the blocks when you are finished!

all block patterns for the year are pictured on page 5, the patterns start on
page 39, page 38 has a few tips that you will want to read thru...

General instructions and illustration of paper piecing using the "Valentine with Bow"
block begin on page 7. In addition to the items listed for "Tools" ~ a pair
of tweezers will be handy when it's time to pull the paper off!
The "things to know" suggests a stitch length of 1.5 however, while that is good
for perforating the paper, if you have to un-sew (and you will, it's just part of
the process) a stitch length a bit longer is easier to rip out, I use a length of 2.0

it's important to 'finger press' the seams as you go, you want to avoid a tuck
that can happen if not pressed crisply. if you have one of the 4-in-1 tools that
works very well. I do like to press each section with the iron as I go...be sure
to use a dry iron, steam will 'wilt' the paper!!

each pattern must be copied from the book...multiple copies are needed,
each pattern will indicate the number of copies needed. the instructions say
to make color copies...this is up to you ~ I used black copies
which did give me shades then used the page from the book to refer to for
color placement.

Since the "Paper Piecing Basics" chapter illustrates the February 'Valentine with Bow' block,
I would suggest starting with that block if you are new to Paper Piecing.
the general instruction suggests using a large scrap, I find that using a strip at least a couple inches
wider than the area that is to be covered works most of the time. many of the lines are at an angle which
makes it tricky to guess where to place the second fabric.

for January - I did "Snowman 2"
...step one - make copies of the pattern and cut the sections apart
...step two - start with section A ...place the fabric for piece 1 under the paper to check to
see that it will cover the area. (refer to page 3)
...step three - place fabric for piece 2 right sides together (RST) with fabric for piece 1
...step four - stitch on the line between area 1 & 2
...step five - trim the fabric around the paper pattern ...1/4" beyond the solid line

continue to construct the sections for the block in alphabetical order...following the numerical order
within each section,

Tips...

use the edge of a postcard to fold the paper pattern along the seam line to trim
the fabric for the seam allowance. when trimming, be sure to line the 1/4" line of your
ruler up with the folded edge of the paper.
...IMPORTANT!! resit the urge to trim along the folded edge!!!
when you have to un-sew, I find it easier to cut the stitches between the two fabrics.
it's too easy to rip the paper if you try to cut the thread from the paper side!
occasionally scrap trimmings from a section will be large enough to cover small areas on
another section,

FYI...in case you haven't noticed...the finished block is the reverse of the printed pattern image.